Chicken Pasta Recipes
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a quick, budget-friendly meal with tender chicken and silky sauce. Make it in 30 minutes using simple ingredients like pasta, butter, and Parmesan. Perfect for family
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta takes 30 minutes total. You need pasta, chicken, butter, Parmesan, garlic, and herbs.
Start with a pot of salted water. Cook noodles until al dente. Drain, but save a cup of pasta water for the sauce.
Boil chicken in a saucepan with garlic and thyme. Let it simmer until the meat pulls apart easily. Add butter and Parmesan near the end for creaminess.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs
Thighs stay juicy longer than breasts. Use skinless if preferred, but fat adds flavor.
8 oz (225g) spaghetti or fettuccine
Spaghetti holds sauce well. Use gluten-free if needed, but regular works best for creaminess.
2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
Use any neutral oil. Extra virgin adds a mild taste, but it's not necessary.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic gives sharpness. Use a press for speed, but finely chopped works too.
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
Cream thickens the sauce. Substitute with whole milk if you want a lighter version.
1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly grated melts better than pre-shredded. Use pecorino if you have it.
1 tsp (5g) dried thyme
Use fresh thyme if available. It adds more aroma but is not essential.
Salt and pepper to taste
Add gradually. Pasta water has salt, so start with 1/2 tsp and adjust.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Boil pasta
Fill a pot with 4 quarts water. Add 1 tbsp salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup water.
2. Sear chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Add garlic and thyme, stir to coat.
3. Simmer gently
Pour in 1/2 cup pasta water. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
4. Add cheese
Stir in Parmesan. Cook 2 more minutes until cheese melts. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, 1 tbsp at a time.
5. Toss and serve
Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until coated in sauce. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan if desired.
How to Store Chicken Pasta Recipes
Refrigerator
Chill in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Sauce may thicken slightly when cold.
Freezer
Portion into meal-sized containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Heat on stovetop with a splash of broth or water. Avoid microwave to keep pasta from becoming mushy.
Tips & Tricks
- Salt water early – add 1 tbsp salt to pasta water before boiling. It seasons the noodles from the inside out.
- Simmer chicken gently – high heat makes it tough. Keep it at medium-low so it stays tender.
- Use pasta water – it has starch that thickens sauce. Add a splash at a time until you get the right consistency.
- Let chicken rest – after cooking, cover and wait 5 minutes. It firms up and retains moisture better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes, use penne or rigatoni. They hold sauce better than spaghetti, but any works.
Q: How to tell when the chicken is done?
Check with a fork. Meat should pull apart easily and no longer look pink inside.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but add 5 minutes to the simmer time. Thaw it first for even cooking.
Q: What if I don’t have heavy cream?
Use whole milk or add a bit of butter for richness. The sauce will be thinner but still tasty.
Delicious Variations
- Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different texture and protein.
- Use marinara sauce instead of cream for a tomato-based version.
- Add cooked vegetables like peas or mushrooms during the simmer step.
- Make it vegan by using tofu and nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
- Try a spicy kick with a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce.
This recipe is perfect for days when you want something warm and familiar. Serve with a side of garlic bread and a green salad. Share your version with family and friends – they’ll ask for seconds.
Chicken Pasta Recipes
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a quick, budget-friendly meal with tender chicken and silky sauce. Make it in 30 minutes using simple ingredients like pasta, butter, and Parmesan. Perfect for family dinners.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs
- 8 oz (225g) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp (5g) dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
📋 Instructions
- 1Boil pasta — Fill a pot with 4 quarts water. Add 1 tbsp salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup water.
- 2Sear chicken — Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Add garlic and thyme, stir to coat.
- 3Simmer gently — Pour in 1/2 cup pasta water. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
- 4Add cheese — Stir in Parmesan. Cook 2 more minutes until cheese melts. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, 1 tbsp at a time.
- 5Toss and serve — Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until coated in sauce. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan if desired.
